For the first time, Iran has publicly confirmed talks with its traditional rival, Saudi Arabia.
According to foreign news agency Reuters, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzada said during a weekly news conference that "reducing tensions between two Muslim countries in the Persian Gulf region is in the interest of both countries and the region as a whole. Is'.
"Iran is awaiting the outcome of these talks. We welcome the resolution of the issues between the two countries and we will make every effort in this regard," he said.
Last week, Raed Kremli, head of policy planning at Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry, confirmed talks with Iran to reduce tensions in the region, saying it would be premature to talk of any outcome.
He said the talks were aimed at easing tensions in the region, for which Saudi Arabia needed guarantees.
In late April, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reconciling with traditional rival Iran, said he wanted good relations with Tehran.
"We don't want the situation in Iran to deteriorate, we want Iran to move forward, to lead the region and the world towards stability," Muhammad bin Salman said in a TV interview.
Iran welcomed the "change of tone" from Saudi Arabia and said it hoped the two countries could work together for peace.
It should be noted that Iran and Saudi Arabia are rivals who have been fighting proxy wars in many conflicts in the region, including Yemen, Syria and Iraq. The two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016.
Middle East officials and sources said last month that there had been two rounds of talks between the two countries.
In the United States, diplomatic relations between the Middle East have improved since Joe Biden was elected president.
Washington wants to restore a nuclear deal with Iran that former US President Donald Trump withdrew and has called on Saudi Arabia to end its war with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Some sources told Reuters last month that Tehran had promised to use its influence to stop Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, in return for Riyadh's support for nuclear talks.
